Gardenia Boutique Hotel Restaurant

5 Reviews on “Gardenia Boutique Hotel Restaurant”

• Lwazi Ngubevana

  Absolute gem, went for a birthday dinner and loved every moment. The Smoked Salmon starter was fantastic and so was my Kingklip mains with Prawns. The source was incredible. The service was good too and we got all the attention we needed, made us feel VIP. Will definitely be making a return trip.

  April 17, 2017, 2:35 am

  Log in to Reply
• JoziStyle

  The Gardenia Boutique Hotel’s restaurant has the potential to become a destination of note for every discerning foodie in Johannesburg. The Gardenia Boutique Hotel’s restaurant has the potential to become a destination of note for every discerning foodie in Johannesburg. It boasts an incredible team of chefs, strong management and offers excellent service that is nimble yet unobtrusive. The luxurious venue is conveniently tucked away in Craighall but feels like a countryside retreat- perfect for business travelers, romantic getaways and even a staycation in the city.

  April 1, 2017, 2:35 am

  Log in to Reply
• JoziStyle

  The Gardenia Boutique Hotel’s boasts an incredible team of chefs, strong management and offers excellent service that is nimble yet unobtrusive. The luxurious venue is conveniently tucked away in Craighall but feels like a countryside retreat- perfect for business travelers, romantic getaways and even a staycation in the city.Our starter was an oddly paired smoked salmon and poached chicken dish. If anyone made the mistake of eating their salmon first, they quickly discovered that their chicken tasted oddly fishy. Personally, I would have preferred one or the other, but not both on the same plate. The salmon was served atop a bed of tzatziki that I just loved- the freshness of the tzatziki just cut through the richness of the salmon. I could have done without the chicken; both in conjunction with the salmon or on its ownThe starter was followed by a chicken and mushroom soup garnished with a herb cream and a generously sized cheese-straw. It hit all the right notes for me with a heady mushroom flavour and aroma. It was rich in flavour without being heavy on the palate, and was generously studded with chicken pieces. The cheese-straw added a little pizzazz to the presentation and a textural contrast to the soup.Our third course was a perfectly cooked piece of fillet served with a Rosemary jus on a bed of finely sliced root vegetables. It was perfectly executed, as the fillet literally melted in your mouth because it was so tender and the Rosemary jus added a cheeky nod of flavour without competing against the fillet. I loved the vegetables and could have eaten them on their own. Some people may have preferred their fillet more on the rare side- mine was medium to well-done, but it remains flawless in my opinion.The highlight of the meal was the rack of lamb, elegantly plated on a bed of mashed sweet potato and ginger, and served with a mint infused jus. It was a simple presentation but the combination of ginger and mint just worked for me in all the right places. naturally, I had to get the recipe from our host, Nigel, who was only too happy to share his secrets with me. A stunning combination of flavours that I will definitely be sharing with friends.The second highlight of the evening was the wine pairing, which Nigel modestly claimed was not his forte, but he certainly made some excellent choices and explained his pairing authoritatively.The waiters deserve a special mention because their service was impeccable as they expertly served meals, removed plates and refilled wine glasses without us even noticing. Considering that The Gardenia Boutique Hotel is trying to offer a fine dining experience, I would have preferred if the waiters had waited until everyone had finished their meals before removing plates. But, that’s a minor consideration considering that most people are accustomed to restaurants removing plates as if they were going out of fashion.Between my four courses, and plenty of wine, I barely had room for dessert and could barely manage the teeniest sliver of Lemon Meringue, but they offered something for everyone with a traditional malva pudding, chocolate mousse and a cheese platter. The desserts looked tempting enough but I had to concede that there is a fine line between indulgence and over-indulgence.Overall, I had a great evening.

  March 21, 2017, 2:35 am

  Log in to Reply
• Charlie SUPERSTAR

  P.e.r.f.e.c.t place for business meetings and if you just want a nice quiet place. I had a business meeting here with my colleagues and loved it. Definitely going back there with my girlfriend and telling my friends about it. I wish more people knew about this place!

  September 22, 2016, 2:35 am

  Log in to Reply
• KarmaZebra

  A quaint & intimate little hideaway right in the middle of Suburbia! Nestled between homes, and beautiful old oak trees, one would easily overlook this pretty little guesthouse restaurant; making it the perfect low key dining experience. In fact, on the occasion that we enjoyed a light lunch at this venue, we were its sole guests! I felt like royalty! Our own private little table, poolside, champers on ice and undivided attention made for the most relaxing afternoon. The menu was varied and the food was tasty, however, did not seem to be at its very best – supposedly if the kitchen were slightly busier this would not be an issue. The exclusive experience outweighed the slightly average meal making this a venue I would definitely like to revisit, especially to try a meal alongside the cosy fireplace I spotted inside!

  August 15, 2016, 2:35 am

  Log in to Reply